Destrehan Plantation
13034 River Road, in DESTREHAN, (877) 453-2095, (985) 764-9315.
The oldest documented plantation in lower Mississippi, this fully restored property dates to 1787. Destrehan Plantation started as an indigo plantation, and then in 1804 became the largest sugar plantation in the area. A 10-minute video viewed in the brick-wall and brick–floor Cooling Room orients visitors for the 1-hour guided tour of the Big House—which began as a French Colonial in the 1790s, but was later remodeled into a Greek Revival--after which visitors can explore on their own. Costumed guides, who refer to themselves as “interpreters of history,” interpret the legacy of the Destrehan family and point out the unique architectural features of their home, which being a country house was not so grand. But though it had sparse furnishings, it was clean and well maintained.
The focus here is on stories, so you’ll learn about the French family whole lived here, as well as about Marguerite--the cook and laundress slave born in 1740. You’ll also see an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Period craft demonstrations occur daily and include open-hearth cooking, indigo dyeing, sugar-cane processing, weaving, 1780s carpentry, and African-American herbal remedies.
More nearby plantations.
The oldest documented plantation in lower Mississippi, this fully restored property dates to 1787. Destrehan Plantation started as an indigo plantation, and then in 1804 became the largest sugar plantation in the area. A 10-minute video viewed in the brick-wall and brick–floor Cooling Room orients visitors for the 1-hour guided tour of the Big House—which began as a French Colonial in the 1790s, but was later remodeled into a Greek Revival--after which visitors can explore on their own. Costumed guides, who refer to themselves as “interpreters of history,” interpret the legacy of the Destrehan family and point out the unique architectural features of their home, which being a country house was not so grand. But though it had sparse furnishings, it was clean and well maintained.
The focus here is on stories, so you’ll learn about the French family whole lived here, as well as about Marguerite--the cook and laundress slave born in 1740. You’ll also see an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Period craft demonstrations occur daily and include open-hearth cooking, indigo dyeing, sugar-cane processing, weaving, 1780s carpentry, and African-American herbal remedies.
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| Big House at Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana |
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| 240-year-old live oak tree at Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana |
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| costumed guide at Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana |
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| bedroom at Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana |
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| bathroom at Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana |
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| detail from painting at Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana |
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| demo of 1780s carpentry at Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana |
More nearby plantations.
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